Reading Comprehension - How Turtle Became King

A long time ago, two animals wanted to be king of their village. One was Elephant, who was big, strong and fast. The other was Turtle, who was the slowest animal, but was very smart and worked very hard.

They decided to hold a race at dawn through the forest. The winner would be king.

Elephant laughed. He knew he could easily outrun Turtle. He went home very happy and went to sleep.

Turtle was worried. He told his family and friends about the race. They talked about it and Turtle came up with a plan.

What makes Turtle a good king?

• He is slow.

• He has a big family.

• He is smart and works hard.

• He is amazing.

A long time ago, two animals wanted to be king of their village. One was Elephant, who was big, strong and fast. The other was Turtle, who was the slowest animal, but was very smart and worked very hard.

They decided to hold a race at dawn through the forest. The winner would be king.

Elephant laughed. He knew he could easily outrun Turtle. He went home very happy and went to sleep.

Turtle was worried. He told his family and friends about the race. They talked about it and Turtle came up with a plan.

How did they decide to choose the king?

• They voted.

• They had a test.

• They held a race.

• They played football.

How Turtle Became King

Based on a Folktale from Africa

A long time ago, two animals wanted to be king of their village. One was Elephant, who was big, strong and fast. The other was Turtle, who was the slowest animal, but was very smart and worked very hard.

They decided to hold a race at dawn through the forest. The winner would be king.

Elephant laughed. He knew he could easily outrun Turtle. He went home very happy and went to sleep.

Turtle was worried. He told his family and friends about the race. They talked about it and Turtle came up with a plan.

From where is this folktale?

• Africa

• China

• Malta

• Gozo

A long time ago, two animals wanted to be king of their village. One was Elephant, who was big, strong and fast. The other was Turtle, who was the slowest animal, but was very smart and worked very hard.

They decided to hold a race at dawn through the forest. The winner would be king.

Elephant laughed. He knew he could easily outrun Turtle. He went home very happy and went to sleep.

Turtle was worried. He told his family and friends about the race. They talked about it and Turtle came up with a plan.

What makes Elephant a good king?

• He eats a lot.

• He is big and strong.

• He has a big trunk.

• He likes to run.

That night, while Elephant was sleeping, all the turtles went to the forest and walked all the way from the start line to the finish line. Every hundred yards, one of Turtle’s friends or relatives would dig into the earth and hide under dirt and leaves. Turtle’s older brother hid himself right by the tree near the finish line.

At dawn, Elephant and Turtle arrived for the race. Elephant took off in a flash.

After a minute or two, Elephant was sure he was far ahead of Turtle. He turned around and called out, "Turtle, where are you? You must be far behind me."

"Here I am, ahead of you!" cried Turtle.

When did Turtle and his family do their plan?

• During the night.

• In the afternoon.

• Two days later.

• In the evening.

That night, while Elephant was sleeping, all the turtles went to the forest and walked all the way from the start line to the finish line. Every hundred yards, one of Turtle’s friends or relatives would dig into the earth and hide under dirt and leaves. Turtle’s older brother hid himself right by the tree near the finish line.

At dawn, Elephant and Turtle arrived for the race. Elephant took off in a flash.

After a minute or two, Elephant was sure he was far ahead of Turtle. He turned around and called out, "Turtle, where are you? You must be far behind me."

"Here I am, ahead of you!" cried Turtle.

Who went to the forest with Turtle during the night?

• The other elephants.

• Tigers and lions.

• All the turtles.

• He went by himself.

That night, while Elephant was sleeping, all the turtles went to the forest and walked all the way from the start line to the finish line. Every hundred yards, one of Turtle’s friends or relatives would dig into the earth and hide under dirt and leaves. Turtle’s older brother hid himself right by the tree near the finish line.

At dawn, Elephant and Turtle arrived for the race. Elephant took off in a flash.

After a minute or two, Elephant was sure he was far ahead of Turtle. He turned around and called out, "Turtle, where are you? You must be far behind me."

"Here I am, ahead of you!" cried Turtle.

Where did the turtles hide?

• They climbed up trees.

• They dug into the earth and hid under dirt and leaves.

• They hid behind bushes.

• They painted their shells green.

That night, while Elephant was sleeping, all the turtles went to the forest and walked all the way from the start line to the finish line. Every hundred yards, one of Turtle’s friends or relatives would dig into the earth and hide under dirt and leaves. Turtle’s older brother hid himself right by the tree near the finish line.

At dawn, Elephant and Turtle arrived for the race. Elephant took off in a flash.

After a minute or two, Elephant was sure he was far ahead of Turtle. He turned around and called out, "Turtle, where are you? You must be far behind me."

"Here I am, ahead of you!" cried Turtle.

What did Elephant think after two minutes?

• He thought Turtle was behind him.

• He thought Turtle was hurt.

• He thought stars were falling.

• He thought it was going to rain.

Elephant was shocked to see Turtle ahead of him. At least, he thought it was Turtle. It was really Turtle’s cousin who had been hiding there all night.

Elephant ran past Turtle’s cousin. Every so often he would call back to Turtle and be surprised to see Turtle ahead of him again and again.

Finally, when Turtle’s brother heard Elephant getting close to the finish line, Turtle’s brother popped up and crossed the finish line before Elephant.

Elephant could not tell the turtles apart. He thought the turtle at the finish line was the same one who started the race.

Even though all the animals, including Elephant, thought it was impossible for Turtle to win the race, Turtle found a way. And that’s how Turtle became king of the village.

Who was ahead of Elephant?

• Turtle.

• Turtle's brother.

• Turtle's sister.

• Turtle's cousin.

Elephant was shocked to see Turtle ahead of him. At least, he thought it was Turtle. It was really Turtle’s cousin who had been hiding there all night.

Elephant ran past Turtle’s cousin. Every so often he would call back to Turtle and be surprised to see Turtle ahead of him again and again.

Finally, when Turtle’s brother heard Elephant getting close to the finish line, Turtle’s brother popped up and crossed the finish line before Elephant.

Elephant could not tell the turtles apart. He thought the turtle at the finish line was the same one who started the race.

Even though all the animals, including Elephant, thought it was impossible for Turtle to win the race, Turtle found a way. And that’s how Turtle became king of the village.

Who crossed the finish line first?

• Elephant.

• Turtle.

• Turtle's brother.

• Turtle's cousin.